What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is the common name given to myocardial infarction.
This condition corresponds to the destruction of part of the heart muscle (the myocardium).
In humans, it is due, in the vast majority of cases, to coronary disease, that is to say by the obstruction of an artery which prevents blood supply and therefore the correct oxygenation of the heart muscle. This obstruction is linked to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque within the blood vessels under the influence of genetics and risk factors such as smoking, hypercholesterolemia and obesity.
Can a dog have a heart attack?
If myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in humans in Western countries, it is however extremely rare in dogs and virtually non-existent. This rarity is explained in particular by the fact that in dogs, unlike humans, natural bypasses are created between the coronary vessels when one of them becomes blocked.
However, if the canine species is spared from the occurrence of a heart attack, this does not mean that its representatives cannot suffer from heart problems, or heart emergencies among:
Cardiorespiratory arrest in dogs
This is a sudden cessation of all respiratory movement and the dog's heartbeat, which then collapses on the ground and lies there inert.
In general, this cardiac arrest occurs following an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) related to a heart problem or secondary to respiratory arrest caused by:
- the presence of foreign bodies in the respiratory tract,
- trauma,
- dog poisoning,
- a drowning,
- various respiratory conditions,
- an electrification
- etc.
In dogs in cardiorespiratory arrest, an absence of respiratory movement is observed (no visible thoracic movement or fogging when approaching a mirror or a piece of glass to the animal's nostrils) and there is a no pulse.
You must then react very quickly and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation consisting of cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth (or mouth-to-nose) treatment, then transport the animal to the nearest veterinarian, the most quickly as possible. Without rapid treatment, serious brain damage can occur within 3 minutes of cardiac arrest and the death of the animal can occur in less than 7 minutes.
The dog's cardiac syncope
In dogs, cardiac syncope is manifested by a sudden and unexpected loss of consciousness. It is generally transient and reversible unless it progresses to cardiorespiratory arrest of the dog. While syncope in dogs can be secondary to various heart conditions, it can also be caused by other non-heart problems. In any case, the occurrence of syncope in a dog should alert you and encourage you to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Acute pulmonary edema in dogs
Acute pulmonary edema refers to an accumulation of fluid in the dog's lungs. It is most often secondary to heart failure and is manifested by coughing and significant breathing difficulties. Faced with such symptoms, it is then necessary to immediately take your dog to the nearest veterinarian for emergency hospitalization.